Govt allocates Rs 200 crore for Nirbhaya fund

New Delhi: Rs 200 crore has been allocated by the central government for the Nirbhaya Fund to provide compensation to women and child victims of sexual crimes, Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday. Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said all states and union territories have notified victim compensation scheme in their respective state and UT. He said record of disbursement made by states and UTs under their victim compensation scheme is not maintained centrally.

“However, on July 6, 2016, the central government has launched revised Central Victim Compensation Fund (CVCF) Scheme for women with one time grant of Rs 200 crore under the Nirbhaya Fund to support and supplement the existing victim compensation schemes notified by states and UT administrations,” he said replying to a written question.

Ahir said the fund has been allocated to reduce disparity in quantum of compensation amount notified by different states and UTs for victims of crimes. It will also encourage states and UTs to effectively implement the victim compensation schemes notified by them under the provisions of section 357A of CrPC and provide financial support to victims of various crimes like sexual offences including rape, acid attacks, crime against children, human trafficking etc, he said.

Nirbhaya fund was set up following an announcement in the 2013 Union Budget after the brutal gangrape on December 16, 2012 of a Delhi girl. The fund is created to support initiatives by the government and NGOs working towards protecting the dignity and ensuring safety of women in India.